Christina Painter
School, Year: College of St. Scholastica, Junior
Major: elementary education
Graco Foundation Scholarship
What are you doing right now?
This summer I’m working full time to help pay for my college education.
What makes you excited about teaching?
I know that I will be able to get my students excited to learn. To me, to be a teacher is so much more than just reading from a text book it is doing whatever it takes to reach those kids. I get a lot of joy out of that ‘a-ha’ moment. I get so excited when I am able to come up with new and creative lesson plans that involve technology, books, outdoors, music and anything that will create an exciting day of learning.
What is your dream job?
Teaching having the opportunity to guide young minds. I’d love to be able to go abroad after graduation to work with underserved kids. I think it would give me an entirely new perspective and make me a better teacher.
What would you say to younger students making college decisions and planning their futures?
Pursue a career that makes you happy. Pretend that whatever you are going to do you wouldn’t get paid for would you still want to do it? If you are using the strengths you have, you will be happy.
Who is the biggest influence in your life?
I have been raised by so many people and it is only fair that all of them get credit for who I have become. I moved out when I was 13 and from there it had literally taken a village to raise me. All of my brothers, my friends and even my friends’ families have been such a support system for me and without them I would not be who or where I am today.
"I get a lot of joy out of that ‘a-ha’ moment."
—Christina Painter